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ISM 2018: a sustainable stand for Katjes

29.01.2018

Katjes isn’t just a pioneer when it comes to confectionery – its trade fair stand at ISM 2018 is also unique. Made of 600 reusable Euro-pallets, the company's stand will display all of its new products in style.

Emmerich, 28. January 2018. Progress through sustainability and the use of natural materials: renowned for its forward-thinking spirit, Katjes Fassin has taken things one step further with the design of its stand at this year’s ISM in Cologne, the world’s leading trade fair for sweets and snacks. Katjes, Ahoj-Brause and SALLOS will all be presenting their current range along with a host of new products at a stand constructed primarily from reusable Euro-pallets. This move is intended to send a strong message on the topic of sustainability.

‘Katjes has been a pioneer in sustainability and the use of natural materials for decades now, as evidenced by our commitment to using natural ingredients and our focus on vegetarian products. A sustainable stand was the next logical step,’ explains Tobias Bachmüller, Managing Shareholder at Katjes Fassin.

‘The largest stand at the trade fair will be sustainable’

At 525 m2 in size, the stand – which is to be jointly occupied by the brands owned by Katjes Fassin – is the largest at ISM, and consists of approximately 650 timber Euro-pallets. By using these pallets, Katjes is championing the use of a renewable raw material. After the trade fair, 600 pallets will be reused by being put back into circulation as part of a deposit return system. Furthermore, all wood-based materials used to construct the stand are PEFC or FSC certified for maximum benefit to the environment.

‘The largest stand at the trade fair will be sustainable. Building temporary structures such as a trade fair stand from reusable pallets is modern, sustainable and efficient. This is exactly the kind of initiative we want to see in terms of responsible, sustainable business operations,’ states Bachmüller.

The trade fair is the main focus – but so is the environmental footprint

The spotlight is firmly on efficiency at the Katjes stand. Instead of laying and affixing its own flooring, Katjes has instead opted to simply use the floor of the exhibition centre and decorate it with spray chalk. The stand builders will also strive to keep the transport routes as short as possible and work with partners based in Cologne in order to keep all stand production operations local. This is both practical and efficient.

At Katjes sustainability and the use of natural ingredients are key. Since 1988, Katjes has focussed on using natural ingredients rather than artificial colourings, and since 2016, after extensive research, all products bearing the Katjes brand have been 100 per cent vegetarian. This development is also good for the environment: The production of the vegetarian gelatin-free Bodo the Bear, for example, cuts CO2 emissions by around 20 per cent when compared to the production of comparable fruit gums containing gelatin.

Further information about the company’s bid to be more sustainable is available here: Factsheets

The Hamburg-based trade fair construction company mehrblick is responsible for designing and building the stand.